How does the infection of a pathogen affect the host plant physiology?
Pathogen infection profoundly disrupts the intricate physiological balance of a host plant, leading to a cascade of detrimental effects. One primary impact is on photosynthesis; pathogens can reduce chlorophyll content, damage chloroplasts, and interfere with CO₂ assimilation, resulting in chlorosis (yellowing) and necrosis (tissue death), thereby lowering the plant's energy production.
Water and nutrient uptake and translocation are also severely compromised. Vascular pathogens can block xylem vessels, hindering water transport and causing wilting. Root pathogens can impair absorption, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Pathogens often manipulate host hormonal pathways, leading to abnormal growth patterns such as stunting, gall formation, or witches' broom structures, by altering cell division and enlargement. Respiration rates typically increase in infected tissues as the plant attempts to mount a defense, depleting vital energy reserves. Furthermore, pathogens can alter cell membrane permeability, causing leakage of electrolytes and disrupting cellular integrity, ultimately weakening the host and making it susceptible to further stress.
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